Does it
Hurt to Say Um?

Nicholas Christenfeld

Abstract

This paper examines whether the
profusion of ums that so many speakers produce is noticed, and whether these ums influence
what audiences think of speakers. Even though ums do not seem to be a product of
anxiety or lack of preparation, the first study, using a simple questionnaire, indicated
that the average listener assumes that they are. The second study manipulated um
rates by editing a tape to create a version where ums were replaced by silence or were
eliminated. The original and edited versions were played to audiences who were told
to focus on either the content or the style, or were not given any particular
instructions. Estimates of ums showed no sensitivity whatsoever in the content
focus, some sensitivity without focus instruction, and greatest sensitivity with the style
focus, suggesting that ums can be, but are not always, processed automatically. On
subjective ratings of the speaker, filled pauses created a better impression than silent
pauses, but no pauses proved best of all. The ums had an effect even in conditions
where the audience was unable to report their presence.

Christenfeld,
N. 1995 Does it Hurt to Say Um? In Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 19/3: 171-186.